$25.00

When the 3.3V digital output mode of your VINT port is not enough, this output module adds four PWM-enabled solid state relay outputs to your system. Because it uses relay outputs, you can control more powerful devices that require up to 30V and 8A. LED strips, DC motors, power relays, fans and other small circuits are just a few examples of what can be controlled with this module. The REL1100 connects to a port on a VINT Hub. See the Connection & Compatibility tab for a list of hubs.

Low-Side Switching

Each solid state relay switches an external circuit to ground when enabled. This action allows completion of the circuit in order to power a load. The power to the load is supplied externally and should be connected in series with the load and the relay output. Alternatively, you could use a pull-up resistor on the input of your load and then switch the input to ground when you want it to turn off. Each channel has a ground terminal beside it to make wiring a snap, and each one leads to a common ground.

PWM Switching

In addition to switching at microsecond speeds, each relay output is also capable of pulse-width modulation; rather than simply switching on or off, you can select a percentage duty cycle to limit the power being supplied to a specific level. This allows you to control devices like a dimmer would, which is an important feature for LEDs, fans, and motors. Check the datasheet for your device to ensure that it is designed to be used with PWM (some devices such as incandescent or CF bulbs are not designed for dimming).

Isolated for Stability

The VINT port on this board is electrically isolated from the rest of the board, improving stability by eliminating ground loops.

VINT Hubs

This Phidget is a smart device that must be controlled by a VINT Hub. For more information about VINT, have a look at the VINT Primer. You can use a Phidget Cable to simply and easily connect the two devices. Here's a list of all of the different VINT Hubs currently available:

Phidget Cables

Use a Phidget cable to connect this device to the hub. You can solder multiple cables together in order to make even longer Phidget cables, but you should be aware of the effects of having long wires in your system.

First Look

After plugging the REL1100 into your computer and opening the Phidget Control Panel, you will see something like this:

The Phidget Control Panel will list all connected Phidgets and associated objects, as well as the following information:

Serial number: allows you to differentiate between similar Phidgets.

Channel: allows you to differentiate between similar objects on a Phidget.

Version number: corresponds to the firmware version your Phidget is running. If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date. Update the firmware by double-clicking the entry.

The Phidget Control Panel can also be used to test your device. Double-clicking on an object will open an example.

Digital Output

Double-click on a Digital Output object , labelled Digital Output Isolated, in order to run the example:

General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:

Toggle the state of the digital output by pressing the button. Remember, the REL1100 simply acts as a switch to ground.

Use the Duty Cycle slider to start using pulse-width modulation. Rather than simply switching on or off, you can select a Duty Cycle to limit the power being supplied to a specific level. This allows you to control devices like a dimmer would.

Finding The Addressing Information

Before you can access the device in your own code, and from our examples, you'll need to take note of the addressing parameters for your Phidget. These will indicate how the Phidget is physically connected to your application. For simplicity, these parameters can be found by clicking the button at the top of the Control Panel example for that Phidget.

In the Addressing Information window, the section above the line displays information you will need to connect to your Phidget from any application. In particular, note the Channel Class field as this will be the API you will need to use with your Phidget, and the type of example you should use to get started with it. The section below the line provides information about the network the Phidget is connected on if it is attached remotely. Keep track of these parameters moving forward, as you will need them once you start running our examples or your own code.

Using Your Own Program

You are now ready to start writing your own code for the device. The best way to do that is to start from our examples:

Once you have your example, you will need to follow the instructions on the page for your programming language to get it running. To find these instructions, select your programming language from the Programming Languages page.

Technical Details

Failsafe Feature

Starting from firmware version 110, using Phidget22 library versions 1.0.0.20190107 and later, this device supports the use of a failsafe feature to put your device in a safe state should your program hang or crash.

With this feature, each Digital Output channel on this device has its own independently settable failsafe timer.

If the failsafe is not enabled, the device will behave as it did before the addition of this feature, maintaining the last state or duty cycle it received until it is explicitly told to stop.

Enabling the failsafe feature for a channel starts a recurring failsafe timer. Once the failsafe timer is enabled, it must be reset within the specified time or the channel will enter a failsafe state. Resetting the failsafe timer will reload the timer with the specified failsafe time, starting when the message to reset the timer is received by the Phidget.

For example: if the failsafe is enabled with a failsafe time of 1000ms, you will have 1000ms to reset the failsafe timer. Every time the failsafe timer is reset, you will have 1000ms from that time to reset the failsafe again.

If the failsafe timer is not reset before it runs out, the channel will enter a failsafe state. For Digital Output channels, this sets the output to a FALSE state. On the REL1100 this opens the relay contact. Once the channel enters the failsafe state, it will reject any further input until the channel is reopened.

To prevent the channel from falsely entering the failsafe state, we recommend resetting the failsafe timer as frequently as is practical for your applicaiton. A good rule of thumb is to not let more than a third of the failsafe time pass before resetting the timer.

Once the failsafe has been enabled, it cannot be disabled by any means other than closing and reopening the channel.

When you use a failsafe in your program, we strongly recommend setting up an error event handler to catch the Failsafe Error Event, to allow your program to catch the failsafe event.

If you want your program to try to automatically recover from a failsafe state, you can close and re-open the channel from the error event handler after determining a failsafe condition caused the event.

General

Outputs on the RELL1100 behave similarly to a solid state relay - by toggling the state of the output, you can switch a circuit on and off. Specifically, changing the output state will switch a connection between the output and ground terminals. The outputs are also PWM-enabled, which means they can vary the intensity of the output by setting a duty-cycle.

These outputs are designed for use with DC voltages only.

Usage Examples

Basic Switching

To switch a load with the REL1100, connect the load and power supply to any pair of output and ground terminals, as pictured to the right. The load could be a larger relay, a solenoid, LEDs, light bulbs, motors, etc. Check the specification table on the product page for your Phidget to ensure that the voltage or current required by your load does not exceed the maximum.

Switching Multiple Circuits

Multiple circuits with multiple supplies may be controlled by the REL1100 at the same time. Just be aware the grounds of all switched circuits will be shared, as all ground terminals on the REL1100 are connected internally.

High Power Switching

The Isolated Solid State Relay Phidget is capable of switching loads of up to 240W. However, for power higher than 50W, you'll need some form of cooling to keep the heat of the transistors down at normal levels. The REL1100's strengths lie in its multiple, high switching speed outputs. For high power projects, a hockey puck type SSR may be a better choice.

What to do Next

Phidget Programming Basics - Once you have set up Phidgets to work with your programming environment, we recommend you read our page on to learn the fundamentals of programming with Phidgets.

Product Specifications

Board Properties

Controlled By

VINT

Electrical Properties

Current Consumption Min

3.5 mA

Current Consumption Max

4 mA

Load Voltage Max (DC)

30 V DC

Load Current Max (DC)

8 A

Switching Power Max (Real)

* 240 W

Relay Properties

Number of Relays

4

Contact Resistance Max

35 mΩ

Turn-off Time Max

100 ns

Switch Type

SPST Normally Open MOSFET

Turn-on Time Max

100 ns

PWM Resolution

0.1 %

PWM Frequency Max

16 kHz

Physical Properties

Recommended Wire Size

16 - 26 AWG

Operating Temperature Min

-40 °C

Operating Temperature Max

85 °C

* Note: At switching powers powers higher than 50W, external cooling may be required. For high power applications, a hockey-puck style SSR may be more appropriate. See the "Other Relays" tab for more details.

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Phidgets Inc.

We believe in getting problems solved quickly and projects finished on time. That's why we specialize in making affordable, easy to use sensors and controllers that require minimal electronics knowledge.

Phidgets Inc.

We believe in getting problems solved quickly and projects finished on time. That's why we specialize in making affordable, easy to use sensors and controllers that require minimal electronics knowledge.